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thoughton98's review
5.0
The third Hardy novel I have read explores the tumultuous web of relationships between characters on the remote and dangerous heathland of Egden Moor. Hardy describes the hostile setting beautifully and builds to a dramatic penultimate section and painfully profound climax (finished with a cathartic bittersweet ending). The relationship between mother and son is a particularly painful one and the emotional resonance that this story gives, even to a modern audience, is still as impactful as the day it was published. From articles and reviews I have read, this seems like one of the author’s lesser-known and more underrated works - which surprises me. Five stars.
librariesandlabradors's review against another edition
4.0
The writing of Thomas Hardy, specifically his nature writing, is unparalleled. I was completely transported to this setting of Egdon Heath and also into the lives of these characters. The plot is very basic however, and I found Eustacia to be deplorable. Highly recommend for any Hardy fan but still not as good as Far From the Madding Crowd.
suziee_mckenzie's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I listened Alan Rickman read this which was very sexy but the book itself was not very sexy and was actually rather dreary but I suppose that is to be expected of Hardy.
I listened Alan Rickman read this which was very sexy but the book itself was not very sexy and was actually rather dreary but I suppose that is to be expected of Hardy.
eclecticlittleadventures's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lydiacherith's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
heidi_meredith's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
This reminded me of 'Middlemarch', 'Wuthering heights' and 'Mill on the floss'. I enjoyed the perceptive reflections. I found the plot a little too much like 'Eastenders' but kept the high rating as the writing style made up for it.
dylan_loves_classics's review against another edition
5.0
This is my favorite Hardy that I've read so far. I pretty much knew after finishing the extended opening sequence (an eventful Guy Fawkes night that introduces all but one of the major characters) that I would love this book.
The first thing that sets this book apart is the wonderful setting of Egdon Heath, a space that is simultaneously agoraphobic and claustrophobic (the heath is vast and awe-inspiring, but also serves as a kind of prison for the characters). This unsettled atmosphere is the perfect backdrop for a story of misunderstandings, incompatibility, and duality.
Enter Eustacia Vye, the passionate and capricious young woman at the center of the novel. I rank Eustacia above the returning native, Clym, simply because her development and motifs were my favorite part of the novel. Eustacia hates the heath, but both are described using the same allusions to ancient history and mythology. There's that unstable sense of duality again. My other favorite character was Diggory Venn, the borderline supernatural reddleman (someone who dealt ochre for marking sheep) who pops up throughout the story.
Like some of Hardy's other novels, parts of the chain of unfortunate events that bind the plot together do strain credulity, but given how geographically bound and small the community of the story is I don't mind as much.
Overall an excellent novel, some of the scenes are simply unforgettable.
The first thing that sets this book apart is the wonderful setting of Egdon Heath, a space that is simultaneously agoraphobic and claustrophobic (the heath is vast and awe-inspiring, but also serves as a kind of prison for the characters). This unsettled atmosphere is the perfect backdrop for a story of misunderstandings, incompatibility, and duality.
Enter Eustacia Vye, the passionate and capricious young woman at the center of the novel. I rank Eustacia above the returning native, Clym, simply because her development and motifs were my favorite part of the novel. Eustacia hates the heath, but both are described using the same allusions to ancient history and mythology. There's that unstable sense of duality again. My other favorite character was Diggory Venn, the borderline supernatural reddleman (someone who dealt ochre for marking sheep) who pops up throughout the story.
Like some of Hardy's other novels, parts of the chain of unfortunate events that bind the plot together do strain credulity, but given how geographically bound and small the community of the story is I don't mind as much.
Overall an excellent novel, some of the scenes are simply unforgettable.